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A lot or a little?

The parents' guide to what's in this game.

Educational value

Kids can learn about problem solving in Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens, with a particular focus on working together as a team to overcome obstacles. The Lego-based world also provides a unique opportunity for kids to expand their creativity outside of the game: kids can see how characters, vehicles, and environment are built, then they can create their own versions in the real world with actual LEGO parts. The game features a robust and diverse cast of characters of all races, genders, species, ages, etc., and each unique character offers something to the overall experience. Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens drives puzzle and problem solving tasks into a galaxy far, far away thanks to a fun, hilarious take on a beloved film franchise.

Positive messages

Main focus is retelling, expanding movie's story, which puts a large focus on "good vs. evil," overcoming odds as an underdog. There's also a strong focus on teamwork, as characters must use their unique abilities to bypass obstacles, make progress.

Positive role models & representations

Story mode played from perspective of heroes of Star Wars universe, characters with strong beliefs, codes of honor. In Free Play mode (a few other stages), players also gain access to villains of Star Wars universe. But villains are much less threatening, more comedic in Lego form than on big screen.

Ease of play

Simple controls, lots of options based on individual character abilities. Introduces new gameplay elements to Lego series, such as shooter-style stages, revamped vehicle combat, both of which can take fans of franchise by surprise, take a little more practice to get used to.

Violence

Fair amount of violence in the game, including shooting other characters, robots, vehicles, and so on, destroying large sections of environment. But violence is cartoonish, with defeated enemies, environmental pieces falling apart like toys, leaving Lego studs, pieces in their wake.

Sex

Language

"Hell" occasionally used in dialogue.

Consumerism

Part of both Lego, Star Wars franchises, both of which include a massive amount of merchandise, including books, movies, TV shows, apparel, games, and (of course) toys. Also considerable downloadable content (DLC) available to purchase to add to experience.

Drinking, drugs & smoking

Although nothing indicates use of alcohol, drugs, tobacco, sections take place in a bar-like hangout.

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens is an action/adventure game that combines the characters and stories from the Star Wars universe with the Lego brand of building toys. The game's Story mode follows and expands on the events of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the eighth movie in the Star Wars movie franchise. The game also features a variety of other characters and vehicles from the numerous other Star Wars movies, comics, and more. The style is based on the Lego Star Wars toys, many of which are available in stores. While violence occurs in the game from blasters, vehicle weapons, and even lightsabers and force powers, the content is presented in a cartoonish, comical manner. There's occasional use of the word "hell" in the game, and while it's easy to grasp the basics of the game, some of the newer puzzle elements and multi-use sections could require a bit of planning and forethought to figure out sections.

What's it about?

It's been more than a decade since the TT Games first brought together the creativity and ingenuity of Lego with the epic sci-fi fantasy of Star Wars in Lego Star Wars: The Video Game. Now, the latest big-screen adventure in a galaxy far, far away is getting the building-block treatment with the release of LEGO STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS. Players join both new and returning Star Wars characters in a fun, kid-friendly retelling of events from the new film, as well as some exclusive content expanding on the events and bridging the gap between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens.

Is it any good?

There's an old adage that says, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," but thankfully that's not a piece of advice that TT Games is comfortable with. The studio behind the Lego video game franchise isn't afraid to play around with a successful formula, and that's never been more true than with Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Flying is a big part of the Star Wars films, but it never felt all that great in the Lego games. This time around, though, the on-rails, roller coaster-like flying has been replaced with more open, arena-style dogfighting sections. Now, you actually feel like Rey did at the helm of the Millennium Falcon, dodging, weaving, and shooting TIE fighters out of the sky. Another addition to the Lego formula is a cover-based shooting mechanic. Occasionally during gameplay, the camera zooms in behind the shoulder of your character as you run, shoot, and scramble for cover amid a hail of laser fire. Finally, some areas of the game let the player choose which items to build from scattered Lego parts, tear them down, and build something different. It's an interesting way to expand the exploration of stages and open up multiple paths.

The new additions will feel instantly familiar to gamers, but don’t worry -- this is still a Lego game. That means the game is still simple enough for gamers of any age to pick up and play but not so simple that it won't present any sort of challenge. There's plenty to play with, too, with nearly 200 characters from across the entirety of the Star Wars canon, expanded story content (including content bridging the gap between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens), and even more to come with optional DLC. Fans will even get a kick out of the fact that, wherever possible, the original cast members from the films were brought in to record their dialogue, versus the developers simply editing in audio clips from the films, a shortcut that was jarringly evident in Lego Marvel Avengers. Put all these pieces together and you've got a game that's not only one of the best Lego games in the franchise's history but one of the best licensed games to come along in recent memory.

Talk to your kids about ...

Families can talk about consumerism in games. Does the combination of the Lego and Star Wars brands in a video game encourage fans to expand their interests between the two? Is it enough to compel an interest in buying non-gaming products related to either franchise?

Talk about violence in gaming. How does the violence in the game compare to that in the film? Does it make a difference that characters simply fall apart when defeated versus having any more realistic reactions?

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